Settlers IV (Video Game Score)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

While I know many people will hardly be interested in the outcome of the music, you should still give it a chance. It is not the newest blockbuster in any form but give it a listen and you will see why I recorded it in the first place. Settlers IV is a strategic game with colonizations of Mayans, Vikings and Romans, and the goal is to set up your own colonization to control the land that you so desperately want to expand. Of course this means, taking out the other inhabitants that occupy the scope of this monster project. As music, it is hardly the most stunning experience but the goal was to give the player a chance to dream his way into the world he controls by his mouse and keyboard. This means, the music often reflects a part of the culture. But also, since the music needs no real guidance line, the music can flow any way it likes and just the time given to make this happen is the short problem that controls Settlers IV. Indeed, the time is often so short that the effect is good but not reaching the climax. A bit like what happened on The Lost World: The Video Game by Michael Giacchino, even though the listening experience is far more positive surrounding Settlers IV. You've guessed it, the score is worth the chance of any lighthearted and non objective fan of film music.

The score is categorized in 3 major sections and one short one. The Dark Tribe, the extra missions on the game receive two moments of score, one of them being incredible catchy, 'Dark Tribe Part I' contains a background choir and a bit of heroism at the end between all the dark sound. The Mayans receive at their own command a more ethnic sound, such as flutes, native drums and rattles. It contains all a melody but still some seem to pick up the better portions. 'Mayan Sea Part I' is very playful and it reminds me in light touches of scores such as Under Fire and Medicine Man, both composed by Jerry Goldsmith. This is a very good example that the melody often surprised me in a very good way. Of course, the material often comes back in varying form and this is good, since it makes a link between the parts of each colony. The Romans receive even good dark yet at the same time heroic uplifting music. 'Romans Fight Part II' has a very good wonder theme and its follow up in track numbers 'Romans Sea Part I' a bouncefull nature that runs around quite nicely. Mostly, you receive the same act of presence, such as playful music, more dark tones or heroic colors, or simply choir. This choir is soft and underused but shows up again in 'Vikings Sea Part II' to give it this more bolder sound and 'Vikings Sea Part I' is probably the most noticed track since for one moment you get true film music. First you receive a moment straight from Crimson Tide when almost the entire main theme is stated and directly after it you receive a short Celtic moment that gives it true color and pride. The last two tracks which are also the longest offer melody in a very pleasing calm way.

At times I want to give this score simply more in quotation, because it gives me such a nice time when I'm listening to it. But of course, other occasions I don't know if that would be an honest quote. See Settlers IV simply as a fine listening experience with thematic moments, fine melody and occasional brilliance. Brilliance of course in scope of the game but it feels that way for sure. The score doesn't have highlight tracks but actually highlight moments and is a welcome surprise for those who love their listens on the back - or foreground. Composer Haiko Ruttmann who is credited in music & sound effects has really created a great listening experience, one that will give the player a very relaxing and non frustrating feeling and the listener, if they would go so far a nice time. It isn't Star Wars, I never intended that to be it but it is simply good, melodic stuff. Settlers IV is for those who aren't drawing the line with just film music scores and those who aren't making prejudgments. For those who do give it the try it deserves, I promise you: "You will not bore yourself".

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Dark Tribe Part I (2.17)

2. Dark Tribe Part II (1.40)

3. Mayan Fight Part I (2.10)

4. Mayan Fight Part II (1.54)

5. Mayan Sea Part I (1.50)

6. Mayan Sea Part II (2.07)

7. Mayan Settle Part I (1.58)

8. Mayan Settle Part II (2.12)

9. Romans Fight Part I (1.46)

10. Romans Fight Part II (2.04)

11. Romans Sea Part I (2.16)

12. Romans Sea Part II (2.04)

13. Romans Settle Part I (2.00)

14. Romans Settle Part II (2.20)

15. Vikings Fight Part I (2.21)

16. Vikings Fight Part II (2.03)

17. Vikings Sea Part I (1.57)

18. Vikings Sea Part II (1.23)

19. Vikings Settle Part I (3.23)

20. Vikings Settle Part II (3.39)

Total Length: 43.35

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